Hello and goodbye Montenegro

In Montenegro we cycled through some stunning scenery but also some stunningly bad over developed coast line. We entered from Croatia into Herceg Novi. This was a pretty horrendous seaside resort, with a huge ship yard eyesore at the end. Saying that it was an interesting place devoid of much overseas tourism and a more genuine local atmosphere. We struggled to find a bike shop for back up spare tubes. The heat in Croatia had resulted in a few inner tube valves disconnecting with the tube, not ideal. We met an interesting French couple who we talked with in French they had completed a similar route but were taking a more indirect mountain route and had some good tips for us. After Herceg Novi we followed the coast to the huge natural inlet. We took the long way around avoiding the ferry. Just in the inlet near Morinj we found a spectacular campsite with laden fig trees and great swimming spots.

Huge clothes line in the old walled city Ston

Fishing stilts

2 euro local wine

Best camp spot on the trip next to the sea and large fig trees loaded with fruit.

Armed and dangerous on the border with Albania this scrawcrow appeared to have real handguns to protect the courgettes!

The eriee deserted seaside resort of Valdanos. I assume it was abondoned and left to nature during the war but it was spooky and we left quite quickly.

Sveti Steven friends with Sveti Peter next door.

Some cool effects where the waves hit the promenade.

The picturesque seasise was tainted by the large shipyard

Shy tortoise on the road to

View across the inlet to Kotor

Beautiful view over the sea to Valdanos

Cruising the backroads to Budvar

Sketchy bridge on way to Budva

The UNESCO site in and around Kotor was outstanding a spectacular walled city worthy of a detour on any itineray. From there a large climb took us over to Budva. Then we cycled along the coast detouring to the very odd abandoned resort of Valdanos. The resort was built in the 70s at great cost with camping sites and fancy hotels, however the Yugoslav army took over the site in the 80’s and it fell into disrepair. The road in still has a check point but is flanked by magnificent old olive groves. The beach is a bit too concerete with huge broken up chunks, rusty beach showers and empty over grown swimming pools. We then cycled on through Bar and Ulcinj before hitting the Albania border. We have enjoyed Montenegro but Albania is more than just a bit unknown, it should be fun!